When she heard the boy's answer without the slightest hesitation, Sajyou Manaka seemed to let out a quiet breath of relief.
Then suddenly, she felt something incredibly strange.
When she asked that question just now, for the first time in her life she had actually felt a kind of inexplicable "nervousness."
Even though she possessed omniscience and omnipotence, she still couldn't see through Alvin's thoughts. She didn't know what her reaction would have been if Alvin had suddenly changed his mind or refused her just now.
Disappointment? Sadness?
Or perhaps… the already boring life she had lived would become completely devoid of even a trace of fun?
Of course, thinking about those things now had no meaning at all.
After hearing Alvin's words, a sweet smile quickly blossomed across the girl's elegant and pure face.
She bent her knees and sat beside the boy, gently placing one hand on his thigh as she said softly, "Then let's sign the contract again, Saber~"
———
[Inside the Tohsaka Family Residence]
A man dressed elegantly was sitting quietly in a secret room. On the table in front of him sat a retro-style telephone.
"What's the situation on Mount Enzo?"
Soon, Tohsaka Tokiomi's deep voice asked.
["I already sent Assassin to investigate. Not long ago there was a battle on the mountaintop. The ones who fought were the mage killer hired by Einzbern Castle, Emiya Kiritsugu, and Saber's former Master."]
Kotomine Kirei's low voice came through the receiver.
["But for now we still don't know that girl's background, nor do we know what her purpose is."]
Hearing this, Tohsaka Tokiomi silently closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with a headache.
A magus connected to the Root. Even though she now seemed to have parted ways with Saber, even without a Servant, that girl alone was already troublesome enough.
Moreover, she had actually found the core location of the Greater Grail and even summoned it in advance.
If he didn't hurry to Mount Enzo now, it was very possible that another Master would seize the opportunity first.
Even if the other Masters knew there might be a trap there, they would still head there for the sake of the Greater Grail.
This was an open scheme, but it was indeed effective.
Servants who could be summoned all possessed their own pride and dignity. At the moment they accepted the summoning, they had already prepared themselves to fight for their Master or for their own ideals.
Sajyou Manaka awakening the Greater Grail deep within Mount Enzo was essentially playing her cards face up, handing every side an invitation.
Exactly how many Servants needed to be defeated before the Greater Grail could truly descend?
Even Tohsaka Tokiomi, one of the "Three Founding Families" of Fuyuki, didn't know.
But if he didn't go to Mount Enzo this time, he might spend the long years ahead drowning in endless regret.
Yet if he went to Mount Enzo openly like this, the carefully prepared plans he had spent so long arranging for the Holy Grail War would be completely ruined.
And exposing a Master within the enemy's field of vision was an extremely foolish act. Tohsaka Tokiomi had always believed that.
Kotomine Kirei spoke softly, ["Teacher, perhaps we could let Archer go to Mount Enzo alone to investigate… If there really is a problem, we could use a Command Seal to recall him…"]
Tohsaka Tokiomi frowned without speaking.
If Gilgamesh could listen to others, then he wouldn't be Gilgamesh.
Although they had already basically confirmed the strength of the King of Heroes, they still didn't know what Saber's former Master was planning, or whether she had already set traps on Mount Enzo.
If Archer ran into trouble, then this Holy Grail War would have nothing to do with him anymore.
"Archer won't listen to my orders. He's probably already preparing to set out."
Tohsaka Tokiomi soon said in a low voice, "And if nothing unexpected happens, Rider has probably already made his preparations as well."
["Rider?"]
Kotomine Kirei couldn't help but be stunned.
["How do you know what Rider is doing?"]
"Because the King of Conquerors is currently in my courtyard."
By the time Tohsaka Tokiomi finished speaking, his tone had become extremely strange.
In a serious setting like the Holy Grail War, the Servants from each side were supposed to be enemies. Yet this King of Conquerors had boldly appeared in his backyard tonight.
And he was even chatting with the King of Heroes right now… Even Tohsaka Tokiomi himself found it hard to keep a straight face thinking about it.
["Are you planning to remain in the residence for now?"]
Kotomine Kirei asked.
Tohsaka Tokiomi remained silent for a moment.
"For the sake of the Holy Grail War, a Master should not expose themselves within the enemy's field of vision. It's better to proceed cautiously."
["I understand. Then I'll have Assassin continue observing secretly. If there's any information, I'll contact you immediately."]
Kotomine Kirei said.
Tohsaka Tokiomi responded with an "Mm" and hung up the phone.
He remained alone in the quiet secret room. After struggling with himself for a moment, he quickly pushed open the door and walked toward the backyard.
———
[Backyard]
Heavy snow fell from the sky.
After the two kings finished the wine in their cups, the King of Conquerors let out a hearty sigh of admiration.
"Tonight has truly been quite an interesting time. I completely understand your ideas about kingship now, King of Heroes."
Clearly, the two kings had just discussed their understanding of what it meant to be a "king," and both sides could appreciate the other's unique perspective on the path of kings.
"Too bad Saber isn't here. My Master told me that fellow is called the 'King of Knights.' Perhaps we could hear his thoughts about kingship from him."
Soon, the King of Conquerors said with a hint of regret.
Gilgamesh snorted coldly, "If he truly possessed the qualifications of a king, he would not willingly serve another."
By the time he finished speaking, his crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he said quietly,
"Having lost his Master, he probably can't entertain me anymore."
Ever since their last clash, Gilgamesh had wanted to truly defeat Alvin head-on. But too many things had happened these past few days, and Alvin seemed to have lost his Master as well.
Without a supply of magical energy, even a Servant outside the standard specifications couldn't possibly defeat him.
"It seems you're determined to obtain the Holy Grail."
At this moment, the King of Conquerors set down his cup and stood up. Turning his head toward Mount Enzo, he soon revealed an amused smile.
"However, the final victor may not necessarily be you."
Gilgamesh silently glanced at the burly man.
"Let's hope you don't disappoint me, King of Conquerors."
He turned into golden particles of light and quietly disappeared into the night.
The King of Conquerors looked toward Mount Enzo with calm, profound eyes.
"Rider… what are you thinking about?"
Waver finally found a chance and asked cautiously from the side.
The King of Conquerors thought for a moment.
"I'm afraid a great battle is about to happen next, Master. Do you want to stay in the apartment?"
Waver's eyes widened immediately.
"You mean you're going to Mount Enzo by yourself? Saber's former Master might have set traps there already. How could I let you go alone?"
"But I might not be able to ensure your safety on this trip."
The King of Conquerors said.
Waver froze.
After hesitating for a moment, he said quietly, "Actually… my teacher wasn't wrong. I really don't have much talent for magecraft, and I'm not suited for this Holy Grail War."
The King of Conquerors raised an eyebrow and silently looked at him.
"But—"
Waver suddenly lifted his head.
"Even the most untalented Master can't let their Servant face danger alone while they hide somewhere safe, waiting to share the fruits of victory."
As if he had made up his mind, Waver said solemnly, "Rider, I will go to Mount Enzo with you as your Master!"
The King of Conquerors was stunned for a moment. His eyes softened slightly.
Then slowly, his expression became serious… excited.
He suddenly raised his right hand high. With the man's roar, a war chariot burst forth from flashes of lightning.
The King of Conquerors grabbed Waver and tossed him onto the chariot before stepping up himself, bold and unrestrained.
"Then come with me and conquer! Come witness the final victory of this Holy Grail War, Master!"
Accompanied by his loud laughter, the King of Conquerors drove the chariot toward Mount Enzo.
At the entrance of the backyard, a pair of eyes silently watched everything that had just happened.
Tohsaka Tokiomi. He stood quietly at the entrance, looking at the now-empty backyard after the King of Conquerors had already left.
In his mind, the conversation between Rider and his Master replayed again.
After struggling with himself for a long time, Tohsaka Tokiomi picked up a telephone.
"Aoi…"
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "If I'm gone, take good care of Rin and Sakura."
Tohsaka Aoi had been half asleep, but hearing this immediately woke her up.
"What happened?"
"Nothing difficult has happened for now. Don't worry."
Tohsaka Tokiomi looked toward Mount Enzo and said softly,
"I just need to go out for a while."
"Where?"
Tohsaka Aoi asked instinctively.
"Mount Enzo."
Tohsaka Tokiomi said slowly.
"I want to witness the end of this mythical battle with my own eyes."
———
[Fuyuki City, New Town]
The wine flowed in the light, glowing with a crimson sheen and releasing a rich aroma.
The winter night was lonely. Snow on the ground had already reached knee height, bringing a chill that couldn't be dispelled.
After settling his fiancée, Kayneth decided he would head to Mount Enzo.
Although Mordred had tried her best to persuade him otherwise, and even knew Morgan le Fay was also participating in this Holy Grail War, she still didn't want to give up on it.
For a Lord of the Clock Tower, he had his own pride.
Giving up halfway through the Holy Grail War and slinking back to the Clock Tower was not something this genius magus could do.
Moreover, the higher-ups at the Clock Tower all knew Kayneth had joined the Holy Grail War. If he withdrew halfway, leaving aside the gossip, the most important thing was how his teacher and future father-in-law would see him.
Although he was the Lord of the Department of Mineralogy and held a status envied by countless magi, deep down Kayneth was actually somewhat insecure, jealous, and sensitive.
"Master, are you really going?"
Mordred said in a low voice.
"This time the Servants from all sides are not weak, and Mount Enzo is easy to defend and hard to attack. If the enemy has set traps in advance, I may not be able to guarantee your safety."
"Why not stay and observe the situation first?"
"Ever since that last attack you've been urging me to abandon Lancer. That's not like you at all."
Kayneth said calmly.
"Is it because both of your parents are participating in this Holy Grail War that you're feeling afraid?"
'If your future father-in-law were also in this Holy Grail War… would you be scared?'
Mordred said in a low voice, "I'm not afraid. I just want to ensure your safety."
In truth, under normal circumstances, even if her parents were participating, Mordred wouldn't feel any fear.
But Alvin had repeatedly warned her before. Even just to keep that promise, Mordred wanted to ensure the safety of this Master.
[🎉 Shoutout to Little_Demon, Thanh, WetWatee, Slashdog, Darklouche and Michael for joining p@treon. Thank you very much.🤗]
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